Raid in Phuket: Four foreigners arrested for illegal business!

Raid in Phuket: Four foreigners arrested for illegal business!

In Patong, Phuket, immigration authorities recently launched a crackdown on illegal businesses and arrested four foreigners. The raid, which took place on October 23, was carried out on the orders of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and is part of a broader campaign to crack down on unlicensed businesses in Thailand, which are increasingly the focus of authorities. Complaints from residents about unauthorized activities on Phra Baramee Road and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road were the trigger for this comprehensive inspection, which affected both shops and restaurants. These raids uncovered several violations of the Foreign Business Act which prohibits foreigners from conducting business in certain areas such as motorcycle rental, travel agencies and hair salons.

Among those arrested was an Israeli who had control of a motorcycle rental company, a travel agency and a hair salon. Although its businesses were registered to a Thai citizen, there was no evidence of any actual involvement or control by that citizen. This raises suspicions of the use of nominee structures, a problem that authorities say has been observed at various companies in the past. In addition to this Israeli, three Thai and two Myanmar nationals were also employed in the shops, the latter of which had valid work permits, which made the entire employment appear legally sound.

Investigations and legal consequences

During the searches, the officers confiscated numerous documents and 66 motorcycles that are needed for legal processing. These measures are not the first of their kind; In recent weeks, cases of foreigners doing business in Thailand illegally have also been uncovered in other provinces. For example, two Chinese nationals were recently arrested in Bangkok for running an illegal hostel and selling illicit products. There was also an incident in Surat Thani involving a Lebanese man who worked in an unlicensed motorcycle rental company. That same week, a travel agency run by an Israeli-Thai couple was closed.

According to the latest investigation results, another foreigner is suspected, which has signaled to the authorities that combating illegal business in Thailand is a priority. Those arrested now face serious legal consequences, including possible deportation and an entry ban while the investigation continues. The campaign aims to protect the country's economic integrity and ensure that everyone who wants to work or invest in Thailand respects applicable laws. The involvement of the authorities is considered necessary to maintain trust among both locals and tourists.